General Report Template - Omega...1. map showing scope of flyer distribution 23 2. copy of...

Omega, Warrington

Omega Warrington Ltd

February 2014

Prepared by

GL Hearn Limited

20 Soho Square

London W1D 3QW

T +44 (0)20 7851 4900

F +44 (0)20 7851 4910

glhearn.com

Omega, Warrington, February 2014


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J:\Planning\Job Files\J026613 - Omega J8 of M62\Consultation\Omega South Masterplan -Zone 7, 6, 4&5\Omega Zone 7 - Consultation Statement FINAL.docx

Contents

Section Page

1 INTRODUCTION 4

2 METHODOLOGY & PROGRAMME 5

3 FEEDBACK SUMMARY 11

4 TEAM’S RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED 16

5 CONCLUSION 20

Appendices

1. MAP SHOWING SCOPE OF FLYER DISTRIBUTION 23

2. COPY OF PROMOTIONAL FLYER 25

3. INVITATION LIST FOR OMEGA PARTNERSHIP GROUP MEETING 28

4. COPY OF ZONE 7 EXHIBITION BOARDS 29

5. COPY OF MASTERPLAN EXHIBITION BOARDS 36

6. COPY OF FEEDBACK FORM 41

7. SCREEN GRAB OF CONSULTATION PAGE ON OMEGA WEBSITE 45



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Quality Standards Control

The signatories below verify that this document has been prepared in accordance with our quality control

requirements. These procedures do not affect the content and views expressed by the originator.

This document must only be treated as a draft unless it is has been signed by the Originators and approved

by a Business or Associate Director.

DATE ORIGINATORS APPROVED

September 2012 Jo Sistern Nick Jones

Account Manager Director

Limitations

This document has been prepared for the stated objective and should not be used for any other purpose

without the prior written authority of GL Hearn; we accept no responsibility or liability for the consequences of

this document being used for a purpose other than for which it was commissioned.



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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Omega Warrington Ltd (OWL) appointed GL Hearn’s Strategic Communications team to undertake

public consultation on proposals for the next phase of development on Omega South, Zone 7.

1.2 The proposals for Zone 7 include 2.1m sq ft of manufacturing and logistics space in outline, the

detailed delivery of a new access road, plus a 35 acres ‘Green Heart’. Zone 7 is set within the

context of a wider Omega Masterplan which seeks to deliver a high quality, mixed-use development

of commercial uses, new homes, a school, retail and restaurants/bars/hotel. The Masterplan also

includes a comprehensive approach to transport, landscaping and ecology.

1.3 OWL is committed to undertaking pre-application consultation, having undertaken discussions with

the planning authority, key stakeholders and the local community. The consultation for Zone 7 not

only responds to the advice laid out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for pre-

planning consultation, but also that of Warrington Borough Council’s adopted Statement of

Community Involvement.

1.4 GL Hearn undertook public consultation for Zone 7 during January and February 2014. This report

summarises the consultation undertaken and the feedback received. The final chapter sets out the

team’s response to issues raised.



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2 METHODOLOGY & PROGRAMME

2.1 In this section, the approach to consultation is outlined based on best practice, the scale and mix of

the development site and the nature of the surrounding community. The aim was to conduct an

appropriate and robust local consultation which provided the opportunity for all interested residents,

businesses and stakeholders to get involved and provide their feedback.

Consultation principles

2.2 The following key steps and principles were set at the beginning of the process to be followed

throughout the delivery of the consultation programme:

Consult those parties who will be affected by the potential change

Outline the timescales for consultation and how people can get involved

Consult in sufficient time to allow feedback to be explored and addressed

Report back to people what feedback was received and how this was addressed

Clearly outline what happens next

Stakeholders

2.3 At the beginning of the process, GL Hearn reviewed the development site and the surrounding area

to draw up an appropriate list of stakeholders. On this basis, the following were approached as part

of the consultation programme:

Warrington Borough Council - ward councillors

Local MPs

Local residents/businesses – within an area agreed with the Leader of Warrington Borough

Council (see appendix 1)

Existing businesses at Omega

Parish councils plus other local stakeholders

Information presented

2.4 Consultation materials and discussions covered the following points:

Introduction – about the development site and the Masterplan context

Proposals – uses, scale and planning

Landscape – features including the ‘Green Heart’

Environment – studies, landscape management and sustainability

Transport and access – studies, cycle/footpaths, public transport access and new access road

Next steps/programme and how to get involved in consultation

The Masterplan was also presented for context providing an outline of uses within the remaining

zones plus the landscape and transport approaches.



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Promotional tools

2.5 It was important to promote the scheme to ensure local people, businesses and other interested

parties were aware of the consultation programme and how they could get involved. Promotional

activities included:

Promotional flyers

2.6 To promote the public exhibition, on 13 January 2014, c.11700 flyers were distributed to local

residents (11,459) and businesses (280) in the specified area. (See appendix 1). A copy of the flyer

can be seen in appendix 2.

2.7 Flyers were provided to Great Sankey Parish Council and the West Area Co-ordinator for

distribution/display in community venues.

2.8 An electronic flyer was provided to Warrington Borough Council’s communications team and

Warrington & Co for circulation to its stakeholder contacts.

2.9 The flyer was also issued to Warrington MPs Helen Jones and David Mowatt.

Media activities

2.10 The flyer was also issued to the Warrington Guardian and details of the public consultation events

featured in the publication.

Website

2.11 The Omega website was updated to include details of the public consultation events and provide a

copy of the flyer.

Consultation activities

2.12 Consultation activities undertaken were as follows:

Stakeholder engagement

2.13 Proposals for Zone 7 and the Masterplan were presented to the following:

2.14 Omega Partnership Group (3 December 2013): a quarterly meeting held between OWL and key

political and stakeholder partners within Warrington. A full list of all parties invited is included in

Appendix 3.



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2.15 Parish Councils (15 January 2014): OWL presented to around 25 people including 9 parish

councillors at the Great Sankey Parish Council meeting. The Burtonwood and Westbrook meeting

scheduled for 15 January was postponed on the evening as councillor attendance was not quorate.

OWL presented at the re-scheduled meeting on 19 February 2014 to 11 people.

2.16 David Mowatt MP (24 January 2014): Andrew Sutherland, Joint MP of Miller Developments,

Partner of OWL, met with the MP to outline proposals and confirm consultation being undertaken.

Helen Jones MP was also invited to a briefing meeting or was offered a briefing note but no

response was received.

2.17 Whittlehall Community Meeting (10 February 2014): OWL presented to 35 people from Whittlehall,

Chapelford and Old Hall organised by the Warrington West Neighbourhood Team at Whittlehall

Community Centre.

Online consultation

2.18 On 20 January 2014, consultation materials (public exhibition display boards) were uploaded onto

the consultation page of the Omega website www.omegaopportunity.com/planning-consultation/ to

provide those not able to attend the event, with the opportunity to view the plans online.

2.19 An online feedback form was also provided on the website, allowing people to give feedback online

until Friday 7 February 2014. The website address was provided on all promotional material.

Public exhibitions

2.20 GL Hearn held three public exhibitions as follows:

23 January 2014 Great Sankey High School, Great Sankey 4pm-8pm

24 January 2014 Kingswood Community Hall, Westbrook 12-4pm

27 January 2014 St. Michael’s Parish Hall, Burtonwood 2.30-6.30pm

2.21 The sessions were held at times to allow both families and daytime workers to attend.

2.22 At the public exhibitions, members of the development team and Warrington Borough Council

highways representatives were available to answer questions and six display boards (provided in

appendix 4) were used to present the proposals for Zone 7. The Masterplan was also presented for

context, across 4 display boards (see appendix 5).

2.23 158 people attended the three events as follows: 45 in Great Sankey; 61 in Westbrook and 52 in

Burtonwood.

http://www.omegaopportunity.com/planning-consultation/



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Public exhibition in Great Sankey – 23 January 2014

Public exhibition in Westbrook – 24 January 2014



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Public exhibition in Burtonwood – 27 January 2014



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Feedback Mechanisms

2.24 Interested parties were able to provide feedback on the proposals in any of the following ways:

Verbally through stakeholder meetings

Feedback comment form at public exhibitions – deadline for returns was Friday 7 February

2014, as seen in appendix 6

Online feedback form at www.omegaopportunity.com (see appendix 7 for screen grab of

consultation web page)

By telephone or dedicated project email or Freepost address, details of which were provided on

consultation materials to allow multiple methods of response

The Programme

2.25 Below is an overview of the consultation programme undertaken:

Activities Date

December 2013

Omega Partnership Group presentation and Q&As 3 December

January 2014

Stratford Town Centre Forum - presentation 3 July

Flyers distributed to local residents, business and site neighbours

promoting the exhibition

13 January

Electronic distribution of flyers to other contacts and stakeholders 13/14 January

Great Sankey Parish Council presentation and Q&As 15 January

Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council presentation and Q&As:

cancelled by Councillor Terry O’Neill on the night - not quorate.

15 January

Proposals uploaded onto www.omegaopportunity.com 20 January

Public exhibition 1 – Great Sankey 23 January

David Mowatt MP briefing 24 January

Public exhibition 2 - Westbrook 24 January

Public exhibition 3 - Burtonwood 27 January

February 2014

Feedback deadline – flexible (feedback still permissible w/c 10 Feb) 7 February

Whittle Hall ward community meeting 10 February

Collation of all consultation feedback for team review – Consultation

Statement

W/c 10 February

Burtonwood and Westbrook Parish Council presentation and Q&As

(re-scheduled from 15 Jan)

19 February

Planning application submitted End February

‘Response to consultation’ – media activity, stakeholder engagement

and website update

Upon submission

http://www.omegaopportunity.com/

http://www.omegaopportunity.com/



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3 FEEDBACK SUMMARY

3.1 Throughout the consultation process, GL Hearn gathered written and verbal feedback from

consultees through meetings and feedback forms. This section of the report provides a summary of

the feedback received.

Stakeholder feedback

3.2 A number of stakeholder presentations and meetings were held with the Omega Partnership Group,

parish councils, David Mowatt MP and Whittlehall Ward. Themes and issues raised in the meetings

are included within the ‘team’s response to issues raised’ table provided in section 4.

Public exhibition feedback – verbal

3.3 Following the three public consultation events, the team in attendance made notes of various

discussions held with exhibition visitors and comments made. Themes and issues raised at the

exhibitions are included within the ‘team’s response to issues raised’ table provided in section 4.

Questionnaire feedback

3.4 Through and following the public exhibitions, 21 feedback forms were received plus two additional

written representations via email. A summary of the responses is provided below.

Q 1 – Zone 7: What is proposed?

There were 14 responses to this question. Themes arising were:

Uses proposed

Support for proposals - in need of more local employers

Support overall but some concerns – traffic plus impacts on local communities and services

Support for a mixed economy with manufacturing and logistics for Zone 7

Mixed views on manufacturing:

o manufacturing should be given a preference over logistics o concerns about extent of odour/noise

Unconvinced about more warehouses given what was proposed previously for Omega South

Desire for re-assurances that land will not automatically always be sold on just because it is

investment in the site which has been empty for so long

Height

New buildings should be below tree lines – like Omega North almost are

Concern about more large warehouses like ASDA creating an eyesore

Traffic

Occupiers need to offer sufficient parking for staff

Will occupiers provide shift work jobs so traffic is off peak?

Infrastructure will struggle with another distribution company – already a large number of

heavy vehicles with ASDA and Royal Mail



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Desire for more traffic control measures

Jobs

Businesses on site need to offer vocational training or apprenticeships to tackle youth

unemployment

Businesses need to provide opportunities for those with complex learning needs

Other

Impressed and happy to be able to make views known

Need to promote Warrington more widely as a great place to be

Query over how sustainability standards will be set for occupiers – i.e. practises, efficiencies

and use of renewable energy

Q 2 – Zone 7: Landscape & Environment There were 13 responses to this question. Themes arising were:

Support

“Excellent”; “Good idea so far”; “Seems to be a good plan in this respect”; “Proposals for the

landscaping appear good”

Concerns about loss of green space, even with Green Heart

Support for cycle paths and retaining of green spaces

Unconvinced about landscaping given none has appeared on previous zones

Pleased with Green Heart but desire for greater budget for landscaping throughout

Quality of the environment

Concern about the impact of large buildings overshadowing landscaped areas such as the

Green Heart

Query over light and noise pollution impact on the local environment – desire for barrier

screening

Query over how air pollution will be monitored

Green corridors need to be wide and varied

Desire for trees to be maintained around perimeter of the site

Community involvement

RSPB and other associations should be involved in discussions about development of Green

Heart and creation of pathways

Green Heart could provide an area for allotment to get the community involved in the site

Needs to be adequate car parking for local people so they make use of Green Heart/wetland

areas

Maintenance & drainage

SUDS is welcomed but long term maintenance needs to be planned with authorities

Important to introduce swales and green areas but management of these also key

Approach looks low maintenance so will not appear untidy in a few years



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Q 3 - Zone 7: Transport & access There were 18 responses to this question. Themes arising were:

New access road (J8 to Omega Boulevard)

Concerns that Omega traffic will not use the new road exclusively

New road needs to be open before further development – to take construction traffic

Support for the new access road to relieve Burtonwood Road from heavy traffic

New road will be a helpful cut-through to Lingley Green Ave from M62

Agreed that the Royal Mail vehicles need to be able to use the access road

Impact on local roads

Concern about the impact of Zone 7 traffic on:

o Whittlehall (Whittle Avenue and Kingsdale Road) o Great Sankey and Westbrook roads o Lingley Green Avenue - for access to the A57 and the M52 to Liverpool

Poor lighting and no white lines or repairs/maintenance on country lanes/narrow roads –

potential for accidents

Need for Burtonwood Road to be a dual carriageway

Roundabouts in Burtonwood are not big enough to accommodate traffic increase

Concern about Farmers Lane/ Clay Lane impacts of traffic – rat running

Need for more traffic calming measures in local areas such as sleeping policemen or signs

Parking

Needs to be sufficient parking for all on-site

Junction 8

Junction 8 already very congested for several hours during peak times – need to address this

as part of Zone 7 application

Need for greater reassurance that shift patterns of HGV traffic will be proactively managed

outside of rush hour periods

Concerns about Burtonwood Road roundabout capacity - even with a change to intelligent

traffic lights

Extra entrance /exit onto M62 roundabout from Omega will reduce time on existing entrances

- build-up of traffic at peak times will be worse

Query over whether there is any proposal to add another junction at 7 or adjacent access

road

Pedestrians & cyclists

Need for easy disabled access to pathways

Need for pathways to be sufficiently wide

Public transport

Not enough buses on Sundays or in the evenings

Transport (public) for people from Burtonwood employed in new warehouses and offices

Better train/bus links or cycle routes should be part of planning if local people are to work

there

Cost of public transport to site should be low to encourage non-car usage



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General

Not enough details given on traffic and transport at exhibitions - vague responses to

questions

Query over responsibility of road maintenance

Query over whether noise levels will increase

Non-Zone 7 related comments

Concern that later roads within Omega South will exit the site onto local roads.

Q 4 - Any general comments about Zone 7 proposals? There were 11 responses to this question. Themes arising were:

General

In favour generally with reservations outlined

Do not want to see any more 30+m warehouses on the town’s gateway site

Concerned about local loss of character – potential to create an identity through sculpture or

lighting

Traffic & parking

Strength of feeling that if traffic issues are not addressed it will cause accidents and

frustration

Need for infrastructure to be looked at seriously along with issues raised through consultation

Occupiers’ parking must be sufficient to prevent overflow parking in local on or off site

residential streets

Car sharing and public transport use should be promoted

Junction 8 links need to be engineered to ensure smooth traffic flow to/from the M62 –

perhaps dual carriageways at key points

Cycle & pedestrian paths

Happy to see that cycleways and green areas being incorporated

Insufficient paths/cycleways from Burtonwood needs addressing

Drainage

Support for SUDS/Swales but may have to consider pumping to keep local watercurrents

from flooding under exceptional weather

Concern how major drains will cope with rain flow when there is already a problem with

surface water run off and development of the site will mean more tarmac

Jobs

Welcome the jobs and the mix of jobs it will create

Hope that commitment to jobs for local people is realised instead of businesses employing

existing staff at Omega

Non- Zone 7 comments

Appreciation of a well-planned presentation but desire for more clarity on mixed use zone

Desire for planning permission for pubs /restaurants to require a support for local

microbreweries



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Additional written representations

3.5 In addition to the questionnaire responses, two additional written responses were received via email.

Themes raised across the two emails are included below:

Traffic – already congestion and will get worse with growth of Omega South

Building height – concern ASDA has set a precedent; colour does not blend into background

Consultation and planning – more promotional activities needed and slower planning process

Landscaping – Needs to happen now especially perimeter screening along Burtonwood Road

Local amenities – More sole traders and families businesses for variety and entrepreneurial spirit

Ecological impact – Proposals have missed opportunity to continue wildlife corridor from Sankey

Valley Park through to the countryside to the west – Green Heart should be Green Vein

Cycleways and footpaths:

o Cycle ways and footpaths need to be in place from the outset

o These need to link into wider areas – especially down the Western side to provide circular

routes

One of the emails states: “In general we are in favour of the proposals. However we do have some

concerns…”



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4 TEAM’S RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED

4.1 As already outlined, feedback has been gathered through 1) questionnaire feedback and 2) stakeholder engagement. A summary of the feedback

received through the questionnaires and written representations is provided in section 3. Copies of all feedback forms and written representations

(minus personal information) can be provided to the planning officer on request.

4.2 To enable the design team to respond to the main issues raised through the consultation, GL Hearn reviewed feedback provided across all

consultation activities to draw out common themes across the board or key singular issues raised. These have been grouped in the following table

into main themes with more detail provided as to the specific issues raised on those topics.

4.3 In the column ‘the team’s response’, the team has outlined how these points have been explored and its response to this.

Theme The team’s response

Uses & Jobs

General support for the introduction of more local employers and a mixed economy with manufacturing and logistics – but with reservations due to concerns over traffic and impact on local communities/services.

Noted. See below responses in terms of impacts.

There needs to be a push of businesses to provide opportunities, training and apprenticeships to tackle youth employment and joblessness for those with learning difficulties.

Noted. OWL has entered into a Local Employment Agreement with Warrington Borough Council (WBC), which contractors must adhere to. This provides targets to meet in terms of local contracts awarded, apprenticeships, schools’ involvement etc. To date, individual occupiers have also signed up to their own schemes of training/job opportunities for local people.

Question why more warehouses are being provided following what was proposed previously for the site.

The recession over the last few years and the demise in demand for out of town, large format office development has required the OWL limited team and its partners to re-think the Masterplan in order for the scheme to deliver the thousands of jobs it has promised. Logistics is a growing sector with the rise in online shopping and provides a variety of jobs from highly skilled engineering and un-skilled warehouse work, to office administrative and management roles plus catering and cleaning. All parties involved with this large employment site would rather see jobs generation (around 3,000 to 4,000 for Zone 7) rather than this site lying dormant.

Query over how many jobs will be provided in reality and whether these will really be for mixed skills employees – how will occupiers be encouraged to employ local people?

See above. Anticipated that Zone 7 will generate around 3,000 to 4,000 jobs once fully occupied plus jobs during construction phase. OWL contractors and occupiers are committed to realising opportunities for local people and job opportunities will be varied. For example, for Omega North, around 80,000 sq ft of office space is being provided for the logistics companies there.



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Desire for re-assurance that land will not always be sold off for unpopular uses just because it’s investment and the site has been empty for so long

The Omega Masterplan provides a framework for the regeneration of site in terms of employment and other uses proposed for the site. OWL intends to see this vision and mix of uses delivered to maximise job opportunities for the people of Warrington.

Scale

Concern about any more ASDA scale buildings – heights should follow the tree line as per Omega North with no more buildings of the ASDA scale developed.

Buildings on Omega North do exceed the tree line however ASDA is a unique structure and we not do not expect other occupiers to have such an atypical design. It is expected that Zone 7 will be more in keeping with North and Royal Mail.

Traffic

General support for the new access road being provided to link up Junction 8 with Omega boulevard through Zone 7 – this should be provided before any further development commences and should allow access from the Royal Mail depot and Lingley Mere.

Design of the new link road is being brought forward in detail as part of this application to allow early delivery. OWL expects this road to be adopted and therefore it will be open to all traffic including Lingley Mere and Royal Mail.

Not enough detail was provided about traffic solutions at the public consultation events – concern that Omega traffic will not use the new road exclusively.

The purpose of the public consultation was to gather views from the public and to take these into account in the final proposals. The transport solution is being finalised and is now likely to include significant improvements to J8 of the M62 by way of: improved traffic signals; the provision of a new public link road providing an alternative route to Burtonwood Road; measures associated with a travel plan and shuttle bus provision at peak shift times. It is not possible to force all Omega traffic to use the new link road. However, it is being made as attractive as possible to maximise its use. It is also likely that existing highway users will transfer to the new link as they will find it more convenient when travelling through the area to and from J8 M62.

Concern over more HGVs being in the area and general traffic problems associated with logistics companies – how will shift patterns be managed to ease this?

It is intended that a legal agreement will be put in place requiring all HGVs to and from the development to use the new link road to and from J8 of the M62 and not to travel south towards Lingley Green Avenue. Logistics and manufacturing companies as a rule work shift patterns to maximise the use of expensive equipment and it is in their interests to ensure that these patterns minimise travel time for both their workforce and HGVs.

HGVs will not be able to enter Omega South as the junction is too tight. The junction has been designed to meet highway design standards. The swept path of large vehicles has been tested using electronic design tools to ensure that they can manoeuvre into and out of the junction.

Concerns over ability of Junction 8 (including roundabouts at J8 and leading to it) to cope with increase in traffic – even with intelligent traffic lights – as already congested at peak times. Is there any opportunity for another junction or adjacent access road onto the M62?

J8 currently operates using fixed time traffic signals. It is proposed to upgrade these signals to allow real time changes to the signal times to maximise their capacity. This should lead to significant improvements to the operation of the junction. Whilst there would be significant potential benefit in creating another junction onto the M62, the site frontage and available land is insufficient to enable a new junction or even a single slip road to be provided whilst maintaining the Highways Agency’s design and safety standards. It should be noted that J8 was constructed as part of the proposals to open up the Omega land for development.

Has Burtonwood Road widening or dual carriageway opportunities to/from Junction 8 been considered?

For the Zone 7 proposals, the provision of the new link road is predicted to lead to a reduction in traffic on Burtonwood Road. Therefore consideration has not been given to widening at this stage. However, as further elements of the Masterplan are brought forward, this option will need to be considered in more detail.



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Concern over how traffic impacts on local roads will be mitigated (Specifically mentioned was Whittlehall, Burtonwood village, Great Sankey and Westbook) – In terms of traffic capacity, traffic calming measures, rat running, plus safety aspects such as poor lighting, no white lines, and cleaning/maintenance of small country lanes.

Output from the ongoing traffic modelling work will identify where additional traffic is predicted. Where this is the case then consideration will need to be given to measures to offset this traffic. However, as stated above, the initial modelling suggests the provision of the new link road will have a positive effect on traffic. With regards to Burtonwood village, the legal agreement associated with the previous permission required the developer to fund a traffic management study by WMBC. This money has been paid to the Council and it is understood that views of the residents are being sought as to their concerns and potential measures required to overcome them.

Parking on site – need to provide sufficient parking for occupiers so there is no overflow in surrounding areas and car sharing of staff should be encouraged.

Noted. Parking provision for individual operators will be subject to approval at the time of Reserved Matters applications for those plots. These will need to be balanced in terms of the needs of the occupiers, versus WBC’s parking policy which will have limits as to the parking levels allowed.

Pedestrians, cyclists and sustainable travel

Support for cycle and pedestrian walkways but need to ensure these are sufficiently wide to allow these to be worthwhile, safe spaces and easily accessible for those with disabilities.

Noted plus these will be suitably designed in accordance with WBC’s standards.

If local people are to work there, there need to be more buses (especially at the weekend/in the evenings) and better train links and the cost of public transport should discourage car use – this should be part of planning. The site is reliant on car access.

Noted. OWL will be working with WBC to agree an appropriate public transport solution for Zone 7 in the first instance and the wider site in the long term. Development of Warrington West Rail Station will also improve rail connections.

Pathways need to connect into wider areas not just across the site – e.g. insufficient paths/cycleways from Burtonwood currently. More detail needs to be provided as to how pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross at each junction.

Noted. Relevant detail will be provided for WBC approval at the appropriate time i.e. when detailed applications are brought forward for plots.

Landscape

Strong support for Green Heart but query over when this will be completed and what guarantees there are that this will be delivered. With disruption locally, it was felt that residents would want other benefits sooner rather than later.

A concept plan, including information of the phasing of the plans will be submitted with the Zone 7 Outline Planning Application and formal details about the Green Heart will be outlined and required by condition of the planning consent. It is anticipated that there will be a four year delivery programme for the Green Heart.

Suggestion that the Green Heart could provide an area for community allotments to get local people involved in the site and parking should be provided for local people to encourage use of the space.

Noted and this could be considered. The Green Heart has a key ecological and amenity role to play and it will be important that the right balance is struck between wildlife and nature conservation versus community amenity space.

Suggested that environmental and wildlife associations should get involved in the development of the Green Heart, wetland areas and pathways – e.g. RSPB.

Key stakeholders will be involved as part of the planning application process and they will be consulted on plans. It is hoped that groups will provide their input to help to deliver the best possible approach to the Green Heart.



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Concern over loss of green space on this site, even with the Green Heart. Support for the Green Heart but desire for a greater budget for landscaping.

Although there is a significant area of grassland across Omega, the site is actually classed as ‘brownfield’ i.e. previously developed land; it has long been designated as a site to deliver significant employment for Warrington and now has an emerging planning allocation for the delivery of much needed new homes. Due to its airbase history where wildlife was activity discouraged, the site is now of limited ecological merit, albeit not valueless. Proposals will provide instead, focused, high-value ecological areas which will sustain and enhance wildlife and ecology and allowed movement across the site through corridors running North/South, East/West. The overall budget for landscaping will be well apportioned for the size and nature of the development.

Environmental

Need for environmental studies to be robust, comprehensive and undertaken at the right time of year as it was considered there was high value of wildlife in certain areas which should be protected.

Noted and this has been undertaken. Full supporting information will be submitted with this application.

Concern about air quality with increased (diesel) HGVs plus potential manufacturing uses creating emissions. How will this be monitored and addressed now and over time?

An air quality assessment is being undertaken as part of the application, for approval by WBC.

Concern about impacts such as noise and light pollution plus the overshadowing of buildings on some of the green/leisure spaces being created and surrounding areas – 24 hour operations.

A noise assessment has been undertaken as above. Pollution will be monitored and responded to if this becomes an issue.

Drainage – there was much more water proposed in the previous proposals for Omega South. How will the site cope when there is already a problem with surface water run off and more building will mean more hard surfaces? Will SUDS/Swales be sufficient and how will the maintenance of these be planned with local authorities?

The drainage strategy for Zone 7 is submitted for approval with the application and this includes how this will be set up and managed longer term. This ties into a site wide strategy which has been designed in discussions with the Environment Agency. Whilst the previous Masterplan showed a large expanse of concentrated water within the centre of the site, the new proposals (for Zone 7 and the wider Masterplan) look at providing multiple water features and swales throughout the site to assist with surface water run-off and attenuation on a more manageable zone by zone/ plot by plot basis.

Other

What opportunities are there for OWL and the project to support the promotion of Warrington more widely and prevent loss of local character through the creation of a new identity through sculpture or lighting?

OWL is willing to consider opportunities to raise the profile of site and town through public art installations. It is also working very closely with Warrington Borough Council and its inward investment partners, Warrington & Co plus Marketing Cheshire to ensure Omega can be used as a flagship project within the region and beyond to highlight the business and social opportunities which Warrington presents.

Sustainability – how will this be encouraged of /practised by occupiers and what standards for operations will be set?

All buildings will target BREEAM ‘very good’ rating in terms of construction and longer term building performance. How the individual occupiers manage their sustainability targets for recycling, energy saving measures etc. will be a corporate decision for them but buildings have been designed and constructed to support a positive approach to this.



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5 CONCLUSION

5.1 Zone 7 is being brought forward as part of a wider Masterplan to deliver jobs, new homes and

associated amenities; this outline application could deliver anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 jobs

across all skills, both warehouse and office based.

5.2 Whilst this is an outline application, it also contains detail relating to an access road linking Omega

Boulevard to Junction 8 of the M62. Its early delivery will alleviate significant pressure on the

immediate local road network.

5.3 A considerable ecological and amenity benefit to the area will be the delivery of the 35 acres Green

Heart to support the protection and enhancement of key flora, fauna and wildlife. Whilst

development of the Omega site as a whole is expected to be over a number of years, it is expected

that this valuable local asset will be delivered within the next four years.

5.4 Omega Warrington Ltd is committed to being part of the Warrington community and speaking to

neighbours of the site and local residents and businesses as proposals develop and come forward

as planning applications. Three public exhibitions were held, which were promoted through 11,700

flyers delivered to local residents and businesses and electronic flyers were circulated to key

stakeholders. Presentations were also given to two Parish Councils, the Warrington South MP, the

Omega Partnership Group and Whittlehall ward community.

5.5 Only 20% of those who attendees the public exhibitions returned completed questionnaires and

therefore the formal response rate was relatively low. However, throughout consultation for this

planning application, it was clear that whilst generally, local people supported the delivery of new

jobs and investment on this site, the main issues raised/comments related to:

Traffic impact – on local roads and roundabouts and Junction 8, all of which already experience

congestion at peak times

Support for proposed new link road and the benefits of this moving Royal Mail and Lingley Mere

heavy vehicles off local roads direct to the M62

Appearance of the buildings and the desire for lower units than the ASDA development

Support for Green Heart landscape and green routes throughout the site but desire for

landscaping to be brought forward as soon as possible as impact buffers and also local amenity

Need for Zone 7 to be better accessed by public transport and cycle/pedestrian footpaths from

surrounding villages

Desire for a major push on jobs and training being given to local people

Need to ensure all environmental impacts are dealt with especially drainage to prevent flooding

plus air quality and noise/light pollution.



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5.1 Further to the above, OWL has responded to the issues raised in section 4 of this report and has

submitted various supporting traffic, environmental and impact assessments with the planning

application to outline mitigation approaches to deal with issues raised. This Consultation Statement

will be uploaded to the Omega website for the public to view and announcements will be made to

the community to promote access to the planning application and awareness of the statutory

consultation process.



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Appendices



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1. Map showing scope of flyer distribution



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2. Copy of promotional flyer



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3. Invitation list for Omega Partnership Group meeting

A number of representatives are invited from the following organisations, bodies and representative groups:

Omega (Warrington) Limited

The Homes and Communities Agency

Warrington Borough Council – Leader, Chief Executive and Highways officers

Warrington & Co

St Helens Borough Council

Wigan MBC

Halton Borough Council

Highways Agency

Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership

Marketing Cheshire

Chamber of Commerce

Burtonwood & Winwick ward councillor

Westbrook ward councillors x 2

Whittlehall ward councillors x 3

Great Parish Councillor

Burtonwood & Westbrook Parish Councillor



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4. Copy of Zone 7 exhibition boards



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5. Copy of Masterplan exhibition boards



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6. Copy of feedback form



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7. Screen grab of consultation page on Omega website

General Report Template - Omega...1. map showing scope of flyer distribution 23 2. copy of...

Documents

Transcript of General Report Template - Omega...1. map showing scope of flyer distribution 23 2. copy of...